Downhole cement flow

ABSTRACT

An assembly includes a ported component that includes a bore, radial passages, and axial passages; and a shifting sleeve that comprises a bore, radial passages, seal bosses and associated seal elements that define at least one sealed region with respect to the radial passages of the ported component and that define an open region with respect to the radial passages of the ported component.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of US Patent Application Publication No.2016/0222756, filed Mar. 8, 2016, which is a national stage entry ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/55139, filed Sep. 11,2014, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/876,646, filed Sep. 11, 2013, which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Cementing can involve preparing and pumping cement into place in a bore.As an example, cementing operations may be undertaken to seal an annulusafter a casing string has been run, to seal a lost circulation zone, toset a plug in an existing well from which to push off with directionaltools, to plug a well so that it may be abandoned, etc. A cementingprocess may involve determining the volume of cement (e.g., optionallywith reference to a caliper log) to be placed in a bore and, forexample, physical properties of slurry and set cement (e.g., considerdensity, viscosity, etc.). A cementing crew may implement mixers andpumps to displace drilling fluids and place cement in a bore.

SUMMARY

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, anassembly includes a ported component that includes a bore, radialpassages, and axial passages; and a shifting sleeve that includes abore, radial passages, seal bosses and associated seal elements thatdefine at least one sealed region with respect to the radial passages ofthe ported component and that define an open region with respect to theradial passages of the ported component. Various other apparatuses,systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the described implementations can be morereadily understood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates examples of an environment, equipment and anassembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an assembly;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method and an example of a system;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a method;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a system;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an assembly;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an assembly;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an assembly;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a ported component;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a ported component;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a ported component;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a shifting sleeve; and

FIG. 15 illustrates example components of a system and a networkedsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description includes the best mode presently contemplatedfor practicing the described implementations. This description is not tobe taken in a limiting sense, but rather is made merely for the purposeof describing the general principles of the implementations. The scopeof the described implementations should be ascertained with reference tothe issued claims.

As an example, cement may be placed adjacent to a liner. As an example,a liner may be a string of casing in which the top does not extend tothe surface but instead is suspended from inside another casing string.As an example, a liner hanger may be used to attach or hang one or moreliners from an internal wall of another casing string.

As an example, a method may include operating one or more components ofa liner hanger system. As an example, a lower completion may be aportion of a well that is at least in part in a production zone or aninjection zone. As an example, a liner hanger system may be implementedto perform one or more operations associated with a lower completion,for example, including setting one or more components of a lowercompletion, etc. As an example, a liner hanger system may anchor one ormore components of a lower completion to a production casing string.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of an environment 100, an example of aportion of a completion 101, an example of equipment 120 and examples ofassemblies 150 and 250, which may be part of a liner hanger system. Asan example, the equipment 120 may include a rig, a turntable, a pump,drilling equipment, pumping equipment, equipment for deploying anassembly, a part of an assembly, etc. As an example, the equipment 120may include one or more controllers 122. As an example, a controller mayinclude one or more processors, memory and instructions stored in memorythat are executable by a processor, for example, to control one or morepieces of equipment (e.g., motors, pumps, sensors, etc.). As an example,the equipment 120 may be deployed at least in part at a well site and,optionally, in part at a remote site.

FIG. 1 shows an environment 100 that includes a subterranean formationinto which a bore 102 extends where a tool 112 such as, for example, adrill string is disposed in the bore 102. As an example, the bore 102may be defined in part by an angle (Θ), noting that while the bore 102is shown as being deviated, it may be vertical (e.g., or include one ormore vertical sections along with one or more deviated sections). Asshown in an enlarged view with respect to an r, z coordinate system(e.g., a cylindrical coordinate system), a portion of the bore 102includes casings 104-1 and 104-2 having casing shoes 106-1 and 106-2. Asshown, cement annuli 103-1 and 103-2 are disposed between the bore 102and the casings 104-1 and 104-2. Cement such as the cement annuli 103-1and 103-2 can support and protect casings such as the casings 104-1 and104-2 and when cement is disposed throughout various portions of awellbore such as the wellbore 102, cement may help achieve zonalisolation.

In the example of FIG. 1, the bore 102 has been drilled in sections orsegments beginning with a large diameter section (see, e.g., r₁)followed by an intermediate diameter section (see, e.g., r₂) and asmaller diameter section (see, e.g., r₃). As an example, a largediameter section may be a surface casing section, which may be three ormore feet in diameter and extend down several hundred feet to severalthousand feet. A surface casing section may aim to prevent washout ofloose unconsolidated formations. As to an intermediate casing section,it may aim to isolate and protect high pressure zones, guard againstlost circulation zones, etc. As an example, intermediate casing may beset at about 6000 feet and extend lower with one or more intermediatecasing portions of decreasing diameter (e.g., in a range from aboutthirteen to about five inches in diameter). A so-called productioncasing section may extend below an intermediate casing section and, uponcompletion, be the longest running section within a wellbore (e.g., aproduction casing section may be thousands of feet in length). As anexample, production casing may be located in a target zone where thecasing is perforated for flow of fluid into a bore of the casing.

Prior to introducing cement into an annulus between a bore and a casing,calculations may be performed to estimate an amount of cement sufficientto fill the annulus, for example, for purposes of sealing off a casingsegment. Accuracy of an estimate as to the amount of cement as well asissues in a process of introducing cement may, for example, result inoccasional voids or gaps (e.g., regions where cement is lacking).

As an example, a string may include one or more tools such as, forexample, a logging while drilling (LWD) tool, which may carry one ormore transmitters and one or more receivers. For example, theSONICSCOPE™ tool marketed by Schlumberger Ltd. (Houston, Tex.) carries awideband multipole transmitter and wideband receivers. The multipoletransmitter provides for transmission of high-frequency monopole energy(e.g., for compressional and shear slowness in fast formation),low-frequency monopole energy (e.g., for Stoneley waves) and quadrupoleenergy (e.g., for shear slowness in slow formations). The widebandreceivers provide for digitization of sensed signals and inter-receiversampling to address aliasing. As an example, a tool may includecircuitry to sense information as to regions proximate to a bore. As anexample, a tool may include circuitry to determine one or morecement-related parameters (e.g., extent of cement, cement quality,voids, etc.). As an example, a controller may include an interface toreceive information from one or more sensors.

As mentioned, a liner may be a casing (e.g., a completion component). Asmentioned, a liner may be installed via a liner hanger system. As anexample, a liner hanger system may include various features such as, forexample, one or more of the features of the assembly 150 and/or theassembly 250 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the assembly 150 can include a pump down plug 160, asetting ball 162, a handling sub with a junk bonnet and setting toolextension 164, a rotating dog assembly (RDA) 166, an extension(s) 168, amechanical running tool 172, a hydraulic running tool 174, ahydromechanical running tool 176, a retrievable cementing bushing 180, aslick joint assembly 182 and/or a liner wiper plug 184.

As shown in FIG. 2, the assembly 250 can include a liner top packer witha polished bore receptacle (PBR) 252, a coupling(s) 254, a mechanicalliner hanger 262, a hydraulic liner hanger 264, a hydraulic liner hanger266, a liner(s) 270, a landing collar with a ball seat 272, a landingcollar without a ball seat 274, a float collar 276, a liner joint orjoints 278 and/or 280, a float shoe 282 and/or a reamer float shoe 284.

As an example, a method can include setting a liner hanger, releasing arunning tool, cementing a liner and setting a liner top packer. As anexample, a method can include pumping cement down a landing string andback up through an annulus. However, such an approach can exert force ona formation. For example, the mass of the cement and forces actingthereon may be transmitted to a formation, which, depending on itsproperties, may respond to the forces, possibly in a detrimental manner.As an example, an approach that pumps cement down and then back upthrough an annulus may stress a formation because heavy fluid (e.g.,cement) is pumped upwards in a relatively tight annular area. In such anexample, the back pressure imparted on a formation may be a function ofthe rate at which the heavy fluid is pumped.

As an example, a method can include pumping heavy fluid (e.g., cement)down an annulus from a point above a liner hanger and a liner toppacker. In such an example, stress on a formation may be reduced whencompared to a method that pumps heavy fluid (e.g., cement) up such anannulus. For example, stress may be reduced as back pressure developedduring pumping may be contained in between a casing and a landingstring.

As an example, a method can include a liner hanger setting procedure.Such a procedure may include positioning a liner shoe at a depth atwhich a hanger is to be set, dropping a setting ball from a balldropping sub of a cementing manifold, gravitating or pumping the balldown to a ball catch landing collar (e.g., at about a maximum rate ofapproximately 1 to 3 barrels per minute or as otherwise recommended),reducing the pump rate when the ball is expected to seat, increasingpressure (e.g., up to about 200 psi over setting pressure of the linerhanger), which pressure may act through setting ports of a hanger bodyand set slips on to a casing (e.g., noting that hanger shear may notindicate on surface gauges), and while holding the hanger settingpressure, setting the liner hanger by slacking off the liner weight onthe hanger slips (e.g., plus about 10,000 to about 20,000 lbs of drillpipe weight), where a loss of weight may be indicated on a weight gaugeas the liner hanger sets.

As an example, a method can include releasing a running tool. Forexample, such a method can include preparing a running tool for releaseonce liner hanger is set, slacking off (e.g., about 10,000 to about20,000 lbs) on the running tool (e.g., to ensure it is in compression),pressuring up (e.g., to about 200 psi over a running tool releasepressure), ensuring slack off weight compensates for hydraulic forcesthat may be pushing the running string up, bleeding the pressure andpicking up the string to check for release (e.g., where liner stringweight will be lost when setting tool is released), when the linerweight has been lost and the tool is released, setting back down ontothe top of the liner (e.g., slacking off about 10,000 to 15,000 lbs),and shearing the ball seat to increase pressure up to a shear value(e.g., as may be indicated on an inspection sheet) where a pressure dropwill indicate successful shear and allow circulation to resume. Such amethod may further include initiating liner rotation (e.g., incompression) and circulation, for example, if the hanger is equippedwith bearings (e.g., with a torque limit that is not to exceed torque ofa weakest connection).

As an example, a method can include cementing a liner. For example, sucha method may include rigging up cementing equipment and pressure testingone or more steel lines (e.g., to a specified pressure), circulating ahole volume to condition mud (e.g., or as otherwise specified) andreleasing a drill pipe dart from a cement head and pumping cement behindthe dart. In such an approach, the dart may be translated along alongitudinal axis to an axial location, which may be defined by and/orwith respect to a shifting sleeve. For example, a shifting sleeve mayinclude a dart seat that can seat a portion of the dart (e.g., a darthead, etc.). Once seated, the dart and shifting sleeve as an assemblymay be translated.

As an example, a method can include reducing a pump rate of cement, forexample, to a rate of approximately a barrel per minute or less prior toa pump down plug latching into a shifting sleeve of a fluid crossoverassembly. As an example, a method can include pressuring up against adrill pipe dart, for example, to set a reverse cement assembly (RCA)between a casing and a landing string. For example, a reverse cementassembly may include a shifting sleeve that can translate axially withrespect to a ported component (e.g., a ported sleeve). As an example,the ported component can include radial and axial ports where radialports can direct cement radially outwardly to an annulus and where axialports can direct cement axially upwardly, for example, after the cementhas flowed through the annulus. As an example, the drill pipe dart maybe a part of the reverse cementing assembly (RCA).

As an example, a method can include applying pressure to a drill pipedart to transfer pressure to a shifting sleeve in which the drill pipedart is seated. Such pressure may cause the shifting sleeve to translateaxially with respect to a ported component and orient a reversecementing assembly (RCA) in an open position where cement may flow froma bore of the shifting sleeve radially outwardly through radial openingsin the ported component to an annulus. In such an example, the annulusmay be a casing/liner annulus that is defined by an inner surface of acasing and an outer surface of a liner (e.g., which may be cylindricalstructures). As an example, a method can include applying pressure to adrill pipe dart and shearing a shifting sleeve to reveal a number ofports of a ported component that provide access to an annulus defined atleast in part by a casing and a liner.

As an example, a method can include pumping a displacement volume ofcement (e.g., as may be predetermined, calculated, etc.) that is to berouted down a casing/liner annulus where one or more return paths aredefined, for example, with returns being taken back through a liner shoeand a landing string bore. As an example, a liner may be rotated withintorque limits of a system during at least a portion of a cementingprocess. As an example, a method can include reducing a cement pump ratewhen nearing an end of a displacement volume.

As an example, a method can include, once a desired displacement ofcement has been achieved, releasing and translating a second drill pipedart, which may, for example, follow behind a cement column and latch into (e.g., or on to) a shifting sleeve, for example, above flow ports ofthe shifting sleeve. In such an example, the method may include applyingpressure that can cause the shifting sleeve to shift to a closedposition (e.g., that closes one or more flow paths through which cementhas flown from a bore of the shifting sleeve, via radial openings, toradial openings of a ported component and to an annulus defined by acasing and a liner.

As an example, a method can include setting a liner top packer afterperforming a cementing process. For example, consider a method thatincludes raising a work string to release a reverse cement tool packerand pull the packer setting rotating dog assembly (RDA) out of atie-back receptacle (TBR) and slacking off a specified work stringweight to set the packer.

As an example, where a system is equipped with a retrievable cementingbushing (RCB), or a pack-off, a method may include testing a packer byapplying an annular test pressure. In such an example, the pressure maybe held and, for example, monitored for evidence of pressure loss whereno leakage (e.g., no substantial pressure loss) may indicate a properlyset packer. After performing such a test, a method may include releasingpressure (e.g., and recording data).

As an example, a method may include (e.g., optionally after a successfulpressure test) picking up to raise a work string and release it from acementing bushing and flapper valves in a liner. In such an example,flapper valves can close preventing flow back of cement in to the liner.

As an example, a method can include pressuring up and releasing dartsfrom a shifting sleeve, which may be part of a reverse cementingassembly (RCA) and, for example, pumping to a bottom of a liner.

As an example, after pressure may be equalized around a cementingbushing (RCB), reverse circulation may be initiated. As an example, amethod can include pulling a running string out of a hole, for example,without rotating while retrieving a running tool assembly. As anexample, a method can include flushing setting tool surfaces, forexample, on a rig floor. As an example, a method can include checking arunning string and noting any visible signs of damage before shipping itto a shop.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a method 310 that includes a set block 310for setting a liner hanger, a release block 320 for releasing a runningtool, a cement block 340 for cementing a liner and a set block 360 forsetting a liner top packer.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cement block 340 can include, for example, apreparation block 342 for preparing equipment, a condition block 344 forconditioning mud, a release block 346 for releasing a dart, a reductionblock 348 for reducing a cement pump rate, a set block 350 for setting areverse cementing assembly (RCA), an open block 352 for opening one ormore paths via a shifting sleeve (e.g., translating a shifting sleevethat may be part of a reverse cementing assembly) for flow of cement, apump block 354 for pumping cement via the one or more openings to anannulus (e.g., defined at least in part by a surface of a liner), and aclose block 356 for closing the one or more openings.

The method 310 is shown in FIG. 3 in association with variouscomputer-readable media (CRM) blocks 311, 321, 341 and 361. Such blocksgenerally include instructions suitable for execution by one or moreprocessors (or processor cores) to instruct a computing device or systemto perform one or more actions. While various blocks are shown, a singlemedium may be configured with instructions to allow for, at least inpart, performance of various actions of the method 310. As an example, acomputer-readable medium (CRM) may be a computer-readable storage mediumthat is non-transitory and that is not a carrier wave.

FIG. 3 also shows an example of a system 390 includes one or moreinformation storage devices 392, one or more computers 393, one or morenetworks 396 and one or more modules 397. As to the one or morecomputers 393, each computer may include one or more processors (e.g.,or processing cores) 394 and memory 395 for storing instructions (e.g.,modules), for example, executable by at least one of the one or moreprocessors. As an example, a computer may include one or more networkinterfaces (e.g., wired or wireless), one or more graphics cards, adisplay interface (e.g., wired or wireless), etc.

As an example, the one or more modules 397 may include instructions(e.g., stored in memory) executable by one or more processors toinstruct the system 390 to perform various actions. As an example, oneor more methods, techniques, etc. may be performed at least in partusing one or more modules, which may be, for example, one or more of theone or more modules 397 of FIG. 3. As an example, the blocks 311, 321,341 and 361 may be modules.

As an example, the block 341 can include instructions to instruct asystem to, for example, pump cement at a pressure to translate a device(e.g., a dart, a ball, etc.) into a bore of a shifting sleeve, pumpcement at a pressure to seat the device against a stop of the shiftingsleeve, and pump cement at a pressure to flow the cement from the boreof the shifting sleeve through radial passages of the shifting sleeveand to an annulus via radial passages of a ported component. In such anexample, pressure may optionally be monitored (e.g., directly and/orindirectly), for example, to indicate when a device (e.g., a dart, aball, etc.) may be received by a bore of a shifting sleeve, when adevice (e.g., a dart, a ball, etc.) has been seated, when cement isflowing to an annulus, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, the set block 360 of the method 310 may include araise block 362 for raising a work string to release a reverse cementassembly (RCA) and for pulling a rotating dog assembly (RDA) out of atie-back receptacle (TBR), a set block 364 for setting a packer, a raiseblock 366 for raising a work string (e.g., to close one or more valves),a release block 368 for releasing one or more darts from a shiftingsleeve of a reverse cementing assembly (RCA) (e.g., via pumping) andpumping to a bottom of liner, an equalize block 370 for equalizingpressure around a retrievable cementing bushing (RCB), a pull block 372for pulling a running string out of a hole, a flush block 374 forflushing a setting tool (e.g., cleaning a setting tool) and a checkblock 376 for checking running string (e.g., as to condition, etc.).

FIG. 5 shows an example of a system 500 and an example of a method 580.As shown, the system 500 is disposed at least in part in a bore in rock501 where a casing 502 is placed in the bore adjacent to the rock 501.As shown, the system 500 can include a packer 510, an assembly 530 andan annulus 550. The assembly 530 is shown as including components thatcan be arranged to open and/or close paths to the annulus 550. As anexample, cement flow 570 may be axially downwardly through a bore of thesystem 500 and into the assembly 530 where radial paths exist that maybe opened to be in fluid communication with the annulus 550. In such anexample, the cement flow 570 may enter the annulus 550. As shown, one ormore return paths may exist that are directed axially upwardly, forexample, via one or more axial paths of the assembly 530.

In the example of FIG. 5, the method 580 includes a pump block 582 forpumping cement to a bore of a shifting sleeve disposed in a portedcomponent seated in a cased bore above a liner; a flow block 584 forflowing the cement from the bore of the shifting sleeve through radialpassages of the shifting sleeve and radial passages of the portedcomponent; and a flow block 586 for flowing the cement to an annulusbetween a casing of the cased bore and the liner. As an example, such amethod can include flowing the cement from the annulus to axial passagesof the ported component.

As an example, a method may include (e.g., prior to flowing cement froma bore of a shifting sleeve through radial passages of shifting sleeveand radial passages of a ported component), translating a dart to a boreof a shifting sleeve. Such a method may include seating the dart againsta stop of the shifting sleeve and, for example, translating the shiftingsleeve with the dart seated against the stop to fluidly couple radialpassages of the shifting sleeve and radial passages of the portedcomponent. As an example, a ball or other translatable device may beimplemented as part of a system (e.g., or assembly). As an example, sucha device may be translatable via flow, gravity, etc. to a positionwithin a shifting sleeve.

As an example, a method may include translating a dart (e.g., or otherdevice) to a shifting sleeve to close a bore of the shifting sleeve. Asan example, a method may include translating a shifting sleeve tofluidly decouple radial passages of the shifting sleeve and radialpassages of a ported component.

The method 580 is shown in FIG. 5 in association with variouscomputer-readable media (CRM) blocks 583, 585, and 587. Such blocksgenerally include instructions suitable for execution by one or moreprocessors (or processor cores) to instruct a computing device or systemto perform one or more actions (see, e.g., the system 390 of FIG. 3).While various blocks are shown, a single medium may be configured withinstructions to allow for, at least in part, performance of variousactions of the method 580. As an example, a computer-readable medium(CRM) may be a computer-readable storage medium that is non-transitoryand that is not a carrier wave.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show an example of an assembly 600 that includes ashifting sleeve 610 and a ported component 660. In the example of FIG.6, the shifting sleeve 610 is in a first closed position with respect tothe ported component 660 (e.g., PC1). In the example of FIG. 7, theshifting sleeve 610 is in an open position with respect to the portedcomponent 660 (e.g., PO). In the example of FIG. 8, the shifting sleeve610 is in a second closed position with respect to the ported component660 (e.g., PC2). In the example of FIG. 6, the assembly 600 is shownalong with a liner 670 and a casing 680 that define an annulus.

As shown, the shifting sleeve 610 can include a bore 611, a top end 612,a bottom end 614, a stop 615, an inner surface 616 (e.g., that may atleast in part define the bore 611 of the shifting sleeve 610), an outersurface 618 and a bottom opening 619 (e.g., which, if unblocked, mayallow for flow through the bore 611 of the shifting sleeve 610). In theexample of FIG. 6, the shifting sleeve 610 includes a plurality ofopenings or passages 620-1 and 620-2. The shifting sleeve 610 alsoincludes seal bosses 630-1, 630-2, 630-3 and 630-4 that are disposed atdifferent axial positions (see, e.g., z-axis). As shown, each of theseal bosses 630-1, 630-2, 630-3 and 630-4 can receive a respective sealelement 632-1, 632-2, 632-3 and 632-4. As shown, regions 634, 636 and638 may be defined (e.g., annular regions) at least in part by the sealbosses 630-1, 630-2, 630-3 and 630-4. Such are shown as extendingaxially between adjacent seal bosses. As an example, seal bosses andrespective seal elements of a shifting sleeve may define at least oneseal region (e.g., that can form a closed chamber) and at least one openregion (e.g., for fluid communication from that region to anotherregion). For example, the seal bosses 630-1, 630-2, 630-3 and 630-4 andrespective seal elements 632-1, 632-2, 632-3 and 632-4 defined sealregions 634 and 638 and an open region 636.

In the example of FIG. 6, the ported component 660 includes a bore 661,a top end 662, a bottom end 664, an inner surface 666 (e.g., that may atleast in part define the bore 661 of the ported component 660), and anouter surface 668. As shown, the ported component 660 can include axialopenings or passages 665-1 and 665-2 and radial openings or passages667-1 and 667-2. As an example, an opening or a passage may be referredto as a port, for example, a port through which cement (e.g., a heavyfluid) may flow.

In the example of FIG. 6, the assembly 600 may be a reverse cementingassembly (RCA). As shown in FIG. 6, the shifting sleeve 610 is in aclosed orientation with respect to the ported component 660 as theregion 638 is axially aligned with a region of the ported component 660that includes the passages 667-1 and 667-2.

FIG. 7 shows the shifting sleeve 610 in a different position withrespect to the passages 667-1 and 667-2 of the ported component 660,which is an open position as the region 636 is axially aligned with theregion of the ported component 660 that includes the passages 667-1 and667-2. As shown, the region 636 is in fluid communication with the bore611 of the shifting sleeve 610 via the openings 620-1 and 620-2.

FIG. 8 shows the shifting sleeve 610 in a different position withrespect to the passages 667-1 and 667-2 of the ported component 660,which is a closed position as the region 634 is axially aligned with theregion of the ported component 660 that includes the passages 667-1 and667-2.

FIG. 9 shows an example of an assembly 900 that includes the assembly600 of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 (e.g., in the open position of FIG. 7) and anexample of a dart 640. As shown, the dart 640 can include a head 642, ashaft 644 and guides 646 that extend radially outwardly from the shaft644. As an example, a guide may include a conical shape, for example, to“catch” material that can propel a dart downwardly. In such an example,a diameter of a guide may act to maintain a dart in a relatively axialorientation with respect to a surface that defines a bore through whichthe dart may travel. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of one of theguides 646, which may include a conical shape through which the shaft644 extends. As an example, a shaft may be a multi-piece shaft (e.g.,components that may be coupled together, optionally via one or moreguide components, etc.). As an example, a dart may include one or morefeatures of a pumpdown plug (PDP). As an example, a shifting sleeve mayinclude one or more features of a liner wiper plug (LWP), for example,one or more features that may be configured to receive and/or seat aPDP. As mentioned, a ball or other device may be implemented as part ofan assembly or as part of a system. For example, consider a ball with ashape akin to that of the head 642 of the dart 640 of FIG. 9.

As an example, the dart 640 may enter a bore of the shifting sleeve 610and proceed axially downwardly to seat against the stop 615 of theshifting sleeve 610. In such an example, an end of the dart 640 may beaxially below the openings 620-1 and 620-2 of the shifting sleeve 610.As an example, the dart 640 may act to “seal” off the opening 619 at thebottom end 614 of the shifting sleeve 610, which may prevent flow ofcement through the opening 619. In such an example, pressure may causethe shifting sleeve 610 to translate axially with respect to the portedcomponent 660 and to cause the openings 620-1 and 620-2 and the region634 to align substantially with the openings 667-1 and 667-2 of theported component 660. In such an opened orientation, cement may flowfrom the interior of the shifting sleeve 610 to an annular regiondefined by the outer surface 668 of the ported component 660 and, forexample, an inner surface of the casing 680. Such cement may flowaxially downwardly to an annulus defined by the liner 670 and the casing680.

As an example, a dart may include a ball portion that can seat in a ballseat of a shifting sleeve. For example, the head 642 of the dart 640 maybe a ball (e.g., hemisphere, etc.) and the stop 615 of the shiftingsleeve 610 may be a ball seat (e.g., a conical surface, a segment of asphere, etc.). As an example, a seat may be expandable. As an example, anose on a dart may include a ratchet feature, for example, that canperform one or more ratcheting operations (e.g., associated withseating, sealing, etc.).

FIG. 10 shows an example of an assembly 1000 that includes the assembly900 of FIG. 9 and an example of another dart 650 as well as an exampleof cement 690 disposed in an annular region defined by the liner 670 andthe casing 680. As shown, the dart 650 can include a head 652, a shaft654 and guides 656. In the example of FIG. 10, the dart 650 is receivedby the bore 611 of the shifting sleeve 610 axially above the dart 640.In such an example, applied force may cause the shifting sleeve 610 totranslate axially downwardly with respect to the ported component 660such that the second closed position (see, e.g., FIG. 8) may beachieved. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the region 634 is axiallyaligned with the passages 667-1 and 667-2 of the ported component 660and the region 636 is axially in a region for which the ported component660 does not include radial passages that can fluidly couple the region636 with a region exterior to the outer surface 668 of the portedcomponent 660. As an example, the dart 650 may optionally be shapedand/or sized to seal off the bore 611 of the shifting sleeve 610. Insuch an example, flow of cement therethrough is hindered, for example,the assembly 600 may be considered to be in a closed orientation viaoperation of the dart 650. As an example, a ball or other device may beimplemented to perform one or more functions such as one or morefunctions of the dart 650. For example, a ball may be translated axiallyand at least in part received via the bore 611 of the shifting sleeve610.

As an example, the dart 650 may land on the dart 640. For example, thehead 652 of the dart 650 may contact the dart 640 (e.g., along its shaft644, etc.). As an example, a shifting sleeve may include one or moreexpandable seats. For example, an expandable seat may respond to forceto be at least in part deformable (e.g., when contacted by a device suchas a dart, a ball, etc.).

As an example, a method may include axially translating via force theshifting sleeve 610 downwardly to thereby close off the openings 667-1and 667-2 of the ported component 660. As an example, where the shiftingsleeve 610 has already received a device (e.g., a dart, a ball, etc.),another device may be at least in part received by the shifting sleeve610 to cause the shifting sleeve 610 to translate axially to a closedorientation with respect to the ported component 660 (see, e.g., thesecond closed position PC2 of FIG. 8).

FIG. 9 shows an example of a ported component 960. In the example ofFIG. 9, the ported component 960 includes a top end 962, a bottom end964, an inner surface 966 and an outer surface 968. As shown, the portedcomponent 960 can include axial openings or passages 965-1 and 965-2 andradial opening or passages 967-1 and 967-2. As an example, an opening ora passage may be referred to as a port, for example, a port throughwhich cement (e.g., a heavy fluid) may flow.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a ported component 1160. In the example ofFIG. 11, the ported component 1160 includes a bore 1161, a top end 1162,a bottom end 1164, an inner surface 1166 and an outer surface 1168. Asshown, the ported component 1160 can include axial openings or passages1165-1 and 1165-2 and radial opening or passages 1167-1, 1167-2, 1167-3and 1167-4. As an example, an opening or a passage may be referred to asa port, for example, a port through which cement (e.g., a heavy fluid)may flow.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a ported component 1260. In the example ofFIG. 12, the ported component 1260 includes a bore 1261, a top end 1262,a bottom end 1264, an inner surface 1266 and an outer surface 1268. Asshown, the ported component 1260 can include axial openings or passages1265-1 and 1265-2 and radial opening or passages 1267-1, 1267-2, 1267-3and 1267-4. As an example, an opening or a passage may be referred to asa port, for example, a port through which cement (e.g., a heavy fluid)may flow.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a ported component 1360. In the example ofFIG. 13, the ported component 1360 includes a bore 1361, a top end 1362,a bottom end 1364, an inner surface 1366 and an outer surface 1368. Asshown, the ported component 1360 can include axial openings or passages1365-1 and 1365-2 and radial opening or passages 1367-1, 1367-2, 1367-3and 1367-4 that may join a header region 1369 (e.g., an annular region).As an example, an opening or a passage may be referred to as a port, forexample, a port through which cement (e.g., a heavy fluid) may flow.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a shifting sleeve 1410. As shown, theshifting sleeve 1410 can include a bore 1411, a top end 1412, anoptional guide 1413, a bottom end 1414, a stop 1415, an inner surface1416, an outer surface 1418 and a bottom opening 1419. In the example ofFIG. 14, the shifting sleeve 1410 includes a plurality of openings orpassages 1420-1, 1420-2, 1420-3 and 1420-4. The shifting sleeve 1410also includes seal bosses 1430-1, 1430-2, 1430-3 and 1430-4 that aredisposed at different axial positions. As shown, each of the seal bosses1430-1, 1430-2, 1430-3 and 1430-4 can receive a respective seal element1432-1, 1432-2, 1432-3 and 1432-4 (e.g., at least in part in an annulargroove of a seal boss, etc.). As shown, regions 1434, 1436 and 1438 maybe defined (e.g., annular regions) at least in part by the seal bosses1430-1, 1430-2. 1430-3 and 1430-4.

As an example, an assembly can include a ported component that includesa bore, radial passages and axial passages; and a shifting sleeve thatincludes a bore, radial passages, seal bosses and associated sealelements that define at least one sealed region with respect to theradial passages of the ported component and that define an open regionwith respect to the radial passages of ported component.

As an example, a shifting sleeve may include at least four seal bosses.As an example, radial passages of such a shifting sleeve can be disposedaxially between axial locations of a pair of seal bosses.

As an example, a shifting sleeve can include a stop. As an example, sucha stop may be located proximate to a distal end of the shifting sleeveand radial passages may be located proximate to a proximal end of theshifting sleeve.

As an example, an assembly may include a shifting sleeve, a portedcomponent and a dart. As an example, a dart may include a head, a shaftand at least one guide. As an example, a dart can include a diameterthat is less than a diameter of a bore of a shifting sleeve (e.g., suchthat the dart may be received by the bore of the shifting sleeve).

As an example, one or more methods described herein may includeassociated computer-readable storage media (CRM) blocks. Such blocks caninclude instructions suitable for execution by one or more processors(or cores) to instruct a computing device or system to perform one ormore actions. As an example, equipment may include a processor (e.g., amicrocontroller, etc.) and memory as a storage device for storingprocessor-executable instructions. In such an example, execution of theinstructions may, in part, cause the equipment to perform one or moreactions (e.g., consider the equipment 120 and the controller 122 of FIG.1). As an example, a computer-readable storage medium may benon-transitory and not a carrier wave.

According to an embodiment, one or more computer-readable media mayinclude computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing systemto output information for controlling a process. For example, suchinstructions may provide for output to sensing process, an injectionprocess, drilling process, an extraction process, an extrusion process,a pumping process, a heating process, etc.

As an example, a system can include a processor; memory accessible bythe processor; one or more modules stored in the memory that includeprocessor-executable instructions where the instructions includeinstructions to pump cement at a pressure to translate a device into abore of a shifting sleeve; pump cement at a pressure to seat the deviceagainst a stop of the shifting sleeve; and pump cement at a pressure toflow the cement from the bore of the shifting sleeve through radialpassages of the shifting sleeve and to an annulus via radial passages ofa ported component. In such a system, the pressure to flow the cementfrom the bore of the shifting sleeve through radial passages of theshifting sleeve and to an annulus via radial passages of a portedcomponent may differ from the pressure to translate a device into a boreof a shifting sleeve; the pressure to flow the cement from the bore ofthe shifting sleeve through radial passages of the shifting sleeve andto an annulus via radial passages of a ported component may differ fromthe pressure to seat the device against a stop of the shifting sleeve;and/or the pressure to translate a device into a bore of a shiftingsleeve may differ from the pressure to seat the device against a stop ofthe shifting sleeve. As an example, a system may include an interfaceand, for example, a pump operatively coupled to the interface (e.g., tocontrol operation of the pump to achieve a desired pressure, flow rate,etc.). As an example, a system may include one or more modules that caninstruction the system to perform one or more actions of a method suchas, for example, the method 310 of FIG. 3. For example, a system may beimplemented to perform various actions of the cement block 340 of themethod 310 of FIG. 3 (e.g., releasing a device such as a dart,initiating pumping of cement, adjusting pumping of cement, terminatingpumping of cement, etc.). As an example, a system may be implemented tocause a shifting sleeve to move from a closed position to an openposition and/or from an open position to a closed position (see, e.g.,the examples of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8). As an example, a system may beimplemented to perform various actions of the set block 360 of themethod 310 of FIG. 3, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4 (e.g.,raising equipment, pumping fluid, setting a packer, testing a packer,adjusting pressure, etc.).

FIG. 15 shows components of a computing system 1500 and a networkedsystem 1510. The system 1500 includes one or more processors 1502,memory and/or storage components 1504, one or more input and/or outputdevices 1506 and a bus 1508. According to an embodiment, instructionsmay be stored in one or more computer-readable media (e.g.,memory/storage components 1504). Such instructions may be read by one ormore processors (e.g., the processor(s) 1502) via a communication bus(e.g., the bus 1508), which may be wired or wireless. As an example,instructions may be stored as one or more modules. As an example, one ormore processors may execute instructions to implement (wholly or inpart) one or more attributes (e.g., as part of a method). A user mayview output from and interact with a process via an I/O device (e.g.,the device 1506). According to an embodiment, a computer-readable mediummay be a storage component such as a physical memory storage device, forexample, a chip, a chip on a package, a memory card, etc.

According to an embodiment, components may be distributed, such as inthe network system 1510. The network system 1510 includes components1522-1, 1522-2, 1522-3, . . . 1522-N. For example, the components 1522-1may include the processor(s) 1502 while the component(s) 1522-3 mayinclude memory accessible by the processor(s) 1502. Further, thecomponent(s) 1502-2 may include an I/O device for display and optionallyinteraction with a method. The network may be or include the Internet,an intranet, a cellular network, a satellite network, etc.

CONCLUSION

Although only a few examples have been described in detail above, thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications arepossible in the examples. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as definedin the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses areintended to cover the structures described herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents, but alsoequivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not bestructural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface tosecure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface,in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may beequivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant notto invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of theclaims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses thewords “means for” together with an associated function.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly comprising: a ported component thatcomprises a bore, radial passages, and axial passages; and a shiftingsleeve that comprises a bore, radial passages, seal bosses andassociated seal elements that define at least one sealed region withrespect to the radial passages of the ported component and that definean open region with respect to the radial passages of the portedcomponent.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shifting sleevecomprises at least four seal bosses.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, whereinthe radial passages of the shifting sleeve are disposed axially betweenaxial locations of a pair of seal bosses.
 4. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the shifting sleeve comprises a stop.
 5. The assembly of claim1, wherein the stop is located proximate to a distal end of the shiftingsleeve and wherein the radial passages are located proximate to aproximal end of the shifting sleeve.
 6. The assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising a first dart.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the firstdart comprises a head, a shaft, and at least one guide that extendsradially outwardly from the shaft.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, whereinthe at least one guide comprises a conical shape.
 9. The assembly ofclaim 6, wherein the first dart comprises a diameter that is less than adiameter of the bore of the shifting sleeve.
 10. The assembly of claim 1further comprising a first dart, wherein the shifting sleeve comprises astop, and wherein the first dart is configured to sit against the stopof the shifting sleeve.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the stopof the shifting sleeve is a ball seat, and wherein the first dartcomprises a ball portion that seats in the ball seat of the shiftingsleeve.
 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the ball seat isexpandable.
 13. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the first dartcomprises a ratchet feature.
 14. The assembly of claim 9 furthercomprising a second dart comprising a diameter that is less than thediameter of the bore of the shifting sleeve.
 15. The assembly of claim14, wherein the second dart comprises a head, a shaft, and at least oneguide that extends radially outwardly from the shaft.
 16. The assemblyof claim 15, wherein the at least one guide of the second dart comprisesa conical shape.
 17. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the second dartcontacts the first dart in the bore of the shifting sleeve.
 18. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the shifting sleeve comprises at least oneexpandable seat.